Device for Electronic Identification of Items

ABSTRACT

A device for electronic identification of items has a signal receiver circuit and a visual signaling unit that, based on a received signal, indicates a transport status of an item to which the device for electronic identification of items is attachable. The device provides a way for enhancing the identification, tracking and transportation of items for logistical purposes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of European application EP 07 020 380.7, filed Oct. 18, 2007; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Material handling of items can be a major issue in factories where for example discrete-manufacturing or logistical processes take place. Most techniques adopted to maximize industrial profit are focused on production efficiency and throughput. These require a good material handling to ensure smooth material flow through production cells and assembly lines together with a reduction of a work-in-process inventory. This goal can be achieved by specializing the way the plant is organized adopting a “product layout” (like in a car assembly line wherein the items are all parts of the car to be assembled), where the productive resources are sequentially arranged to follow the routing for a specific product. This kind of layout however lacks in flexibility because the product changes needed to follow market demands require costly and time-consuming layout modifications. More flexibility can be achieved using a “process layout” or “functional layout”, in which operations with similar nature or function are grouped together and materials are moved between the production units accordingly to the specific product routing. In this case the goal of optimizing production performances can be pursued by adopting just-in-time (also named JIT) production techniques to ensure that “the right materials are in the right place at the right time”. Material handling plays a major role in achieving this goal. However material handling becomes cumbersome in the case of complex products or other items with many different product codes and part numbers. Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a term that is used to describe a system that transmits the identity—in the form of a unique serial number—of an object wirelessly, using radio waves. The use of RFID techniques can greatly help in identifying materials or items on a shop floor but usually when their storing is going wrong or in case the materials or items are moved from a work station or production cell to a wrong destination, a material identification is only done after the parts have already arrived in the wrong place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a device for electronic identification of items that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the devices of this general type, which enhances the identification, tracking and transportation of items for logistical purposes.

With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a device for electronic identification of items. The device contains a signal receiver circuit and a visual signaling unit coupled to the signal receiver circuit and, based on a received signal, indicates a transport status of a movable item to which the device for electronic identification of items is attachable.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a device for electronic identification of items, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The signal FIGURE of the drawing is an illustration showing an example of a system containing a device for electronic identification of items according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the single FIGURE of the drawing in detail, there is shown a system containing an optional automated transport machine 6 that can handle a position of at least one of movable items 11 like for example a box or any other merchandise that must follows logistical transport requirements in a production line or in a storage area for products. In order to permit an identification of the movable items 11, a device 1 like an electronic ID-tag is attached to the item 11 (and hence placed with the item), whereby the device 1 provides a communication path with an external ID-tag-reader containing a transmitting source 9 and a receiving element for getting identification data of the movable item 11.

The transmitting source 9 transmits a wave 10 a to the device 1 for electronic identification of the movable item 11. A signal receiver circuit 2 receives the wave by an antenna 8, demodulates it and passes the resulting signal to a microchip 4. The microchip 4 is connected to a visual signaling unit 3 and with a signaling digital output 5. By the signaling digital output 5, the microchip 4 transmits data to a transportation system 6 if an automated logistical unit performs the transport otherwise data are transmitted optically/visually to an operator that can manually act on the logistic. The microchip stores the needed data in a non-volatile memory 7. The non-volatile memory 7 can also contains identification data or serial numbers of the movable item 11. This data can be modulated into a reflected wave with the signal receiver circuit 2 reflecting it the transmitting source 9.

The invention relates to a device 1 for electronic identification of items, containing the signal receiver circuit 2 and a signaling unit (preferably visual) that, based on a received signal at the signal receiver circuit 2, indicates a transport status of an item to which the device 1 for electronic identification of items is attachable. The proposed solution advantageously enables the implementation of Just-In-Time handling of items making it possible not only to track movements of the item but also to steer them, thus avoiding potential queues and production bottlenecks. Over the signaling device being a visual signaling unit 3 it is possible to provide a (optical) digital output of logistical information data that are interpretable by a human operator or any other else “viewing” machine interface. It is also possible to realize the signaling device with some digital signaling output transmission device that enables a communication between the item and an automated machine.

For clarity purposes, the device for electronic identification of items 1 will be referred to in the following description as the device.

The term “item” refers to any movable material or product, for example merchandise stored or/and moved in a manufacturing site that has to be dealt with from a logistical point of view.

In a preferred embodiment, the microchip 4 is connected to the signal receiver circuit 2 and contains means for adapting a received signal in order to provide information readable by one or more further connected devices. This advantageously allows the adaptation of the device to numerous customisable applications and makes it possible to connect the device to numerous devices used in an automation process.

In a preferred embodiment, the microchip 4 is connected to the visual signaling unit 3 and has means for transmitting transport status indication commands to the visual signaling unit 3. The advantage is that the microchip 4 can be programmed to suit any requirements in order to control different types of the visual signaling units.

In a preferred embodiment, the microchip 4 is connected to and has means for transmitting transportation commands via the signaling digital output 5 to a transportation system 6. This advantageously makes the device more flexible to requirements of system automation and expands the possibilities of use of the device.

In a preferred embodiment, the signal receiver circuit 2 contains a non-volatile memory unit 7 used to store the product identification data and the transportation and transport status indication commands. The advantage is that all data needed by the microchip 4 as well as information about the item the device is attached on is stored in a way that the data and information is available at all times and does not need to be reloaded every time the device is used.

In a preferred embodiment, the visual signaling unit 3 contains color-coded means or other variable visual patterns indicating whether the transport of the product is to be stopped or continued. This advantageously makes it easier for logistics personnel to determine the status of an item to be transported.

In a preferred embodiment, the visual signaling unit 3 additionally contains color-coded means or other variable visual patterns indicating whether the product is to be placed in a production holding pattern. The advantage is that logistics personnel or a machine easily determines if an item is ready to be processed by further means.

In a preferred embodiment, the visual signaling unit 3 contains optical emitting means, ideally control lamps or/and optoelectronic devices, each separately emitting light of a different color. The advantage is that numerous different states of an item in terms of transportation, sorting or further processing can be signalized.

In another preferred embodiment, the visual signaling unit 3 contains an electronic paper (e-paper) device. One important advantage of the electronic paper device is that the image can be maintained without a constant supply of power. The electronic paper device can provide and display logistic information related to the transport status of the movable item 11 both in a human-readable and in a machine readable format (barcode or other), thus enabling the usage of existing barcode readers widely employed for logistic purposes.

In a preferred embodiment, the visual signaling unit 3 provides the variable visual pattern in form of barcode or 2D image code that can be read by standard optical scanners. This advantageously increases the efficiency of the item handling insofar that widely spread standard machines can be used to interpret the barcode or 2D image code in order to automate the process of item displacement, sorting or storage.

In a preferred embodiment, the signal receiver circuit 2 contains at least one antenna 8. Furthermore the signal receiver circuit 2 can be adapted to receiving radio frequency signals. This advantageously enables the device to receive signals and commands from a remote device wirelessly.

In a preferred embodiment, the signal receiver circuit 2 is powered by a battery. This advantageously makes the device independent of outer power sources.

In a preferred embodiment, the signal receiver circuit 2 is powered by a current induced by an electromagnetic wave 10 a provided by a transmitting source 9 which is located in reception range of the signal receiver circuit 2. Another way the power delivering for the device can be achieved is advantageously by rendering the device passive in a way that the power is provided externally and wirelessly.

In a preferred embodiment, the visual signaling unit 3 is powered by the current induced by the electromagnetic wave 10 a provided by the transmitting source 9 which is located in reception range of the signal receiver circuit 2. This advantageously renders the signaling unit independent of local power supplies, for example by getting the power from the signal receiver circuit 2.

In a preferred embodiment, the signal receiver circuit 2 has means to demodulate a modulated signal contained in the electromagnetic wave 10 a provided by the transmitting source 9 and interpret a thereby demodulated signal. The advantage is that any commands or information can be wirelessly sent to the device, the latter having the capability to interpret the commands or information.

In a preferred embodiment, the signal receiver circuit 2 has means to reflect to the transmitting source 9 an electromagnetic wave 10 b. The advantage is that the device does not need an explicit sender unit, thereby simplifying the circuits of the device.

In a preferred embodiment, the signal receiver circuit 2 has means to modulate stored information into the reflected electromagnetic wave 10 b. The advantage is that the device is able to add information which it stores to the electromagnetic wave 10 b, thereby enabling a remote system to read the information, for example identification or serial numbers, transport destination data, information on the product (inflammable, fragile, etc.), etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the transmitting source 9 and the signal receiver circuit 2 use a proprietary protocol for the exchange of data. This advantageously enables the device to be used by different wireless communication systems. A further advantage is that for example security sensitive data can be wirelessly transmitted using a transmission protocol only known to the authorized system for i.e. logistics.

In another preferred environment the transmitting source 9 and the signal receiver circuit 2 use a standard RFID protocol for exchange of data. This advantageously allows the use of existing devices 1 for electronic identification of items which support uniquely the standard RFID protocol, thus rendering the present invention compatible to state of the art solutions.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a system for tracking and transportation of an item is proposed, containing the device 1 for electronic identification of items and an electronic product tracker, wherein the electronic product tracker contains means for receiving and interpreting commands from the product identification device 1 via a signaling output in order to locate the position of the device. This advantageously provides a higher range of flexibility in handling the device by enabling the system to automatically read out needed information from the device, for example destination of storage of product handling information.

This system can contain an electronically controlled product transporter, wherein the electronically controlled product transporter contains means for receiving and interpreting commands from the product identification device 1 via the signaling output in order to move and sort products and materials. This advantageously automates a logistic path for an item to be transported and avoids time wasting as well as the intervention of personnel.

The signaling output mentioned above can be the signaling digital output 5 or/and the visual signaling unit 3. This makes the system easily and flexibly adaptable to interfaces and signal input devices connected to further machines involved in the transportation or tracking of items.

The invention presents advantageously a possible use of the device for controlling a location based logistic of movable items in an area, providing an improvement of the all in all efficiency of the logistics system by for example making it easy to analyze bottlenecks or dealing with high load times. Furthermore it is possible to centralize all information from numerous items in order to have an improved overview about all involved logistical processes.

Another advantage is the use of the device for triggering at least one displacement machine, for example if the item and its device are entering an action area of the machine. Instead of triggering a machine, the device can also be used for indicating (over the visual signaling unit 3) to human operators if or/and which one of a plurality of items has to be carried from a place to another place. For example, if the visual signaling unit 3 switches a green light, the item can be moved from its present place to another one. If the visual signaling unit 3 switches a red light, the item has to stay at its present place. If the visual signaling unit 3 switches a yellow light, the item is at wrong place and the location of item has to be manually controlled. The visual signaling unit 3 can also contain more visual signaling codes that deliver finer information on the way of achieving a logistical process. 

1. A device for electronic identification of items, the device comprising: a signal receiver circuit; and a visual signaling unit coupled to said signal receiver circuit and, based on a received signal, indicates a transport status of a movable item to which the device for electronic identification of items is attachable.
 2. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 1, further comprising a microchip connected to said signal receiver circuit and containing means for adapting a received signal to provide information readable by at least one further connected devices.
 3. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 2, wherein said microchip is connected to said visual signaling unit and has means for transmitting transport status indication commands to said visual signaling unit.
 4. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 2, further comprising a signaling digital output, said microchip is connected to and has means for transmitting transportation commands via said signaling digital output to a transportation system.
 5. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 3, wherein said signal receiver circuit has a non-volatile memory unit used to store product identification data and the transportation and transport status indication commands.
 6. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 1, wherein said visual signaling unit contains one of color-coded means and other variable visual patterns indicating whether a transport of the movable item is to be stopped or continued.
 7. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 1, wherein said visual signaling unit additionally contains one of color-coded means and other variable visual patterns indicating whether the movable item is to be placed in a production holding pattern.
 8. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 6, wherein said visual signaling unit contains optical emitting devices selected from the group consisting of control lamps and optoelectronic devices, each separately emitting light of a different color.
 9. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 6, wherein said visual signaling unit contains an electronic paper device.
 10. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 6, wherein said visual signaling unit provides the variable visual pattern in a form of one of a barcode and 2D image code that can be read by standard optical scanners.
 11. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 1, wherein said signal receiver circuit contains at least one antenna.
 12. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 1, wherein said signal receiver circuit is adapted to receiving radio frequency signals.
 13. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 1, wherein said signal receiver circuit is powered by a battery.
 14. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 1, wherein said signal receiver circuit is powered by a current induced by an electromagnetic wave provided by a transmitting source which is located in reception range of said signal receiver circuit.
 15. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 14, wherein said visual signaling unit is powered by the current induced by the electromagnetic wave provided by the transmitting source which is located in reception range of said signal receiver circuit.
 16. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 14, whereby said signal receiver circuit has means to demodulate a modulated signal formed in the electromagnetic wave provided by the transmitting source and interpret a thereby demodulated signal.
 17. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 14, whereby said signal receiver circuit has means to reflect to the transmitting source a reflected electromagnetic wave.
 18. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 17, whereby said signal receiver circuit has means to modulate stored information into the reflected electromagnetic wave.
 19. The device for electronic identification of movable items according to claim 18, whereby the transmitting source and said signal receiver circuit use a proprietary protocol for an exchange of data.
 20. The device for electronic identification of items according to claim 18, whereby the transmitting source and said signal receiver circuit use a standard RFID protocol for an exchange of data.
 21. A system for tracking and transportation of an item, the system comprising: a product identification device for electronic identification of items, said product identification device containing: a signal receiver circuit; and a visual signaling unit coupled to said signal receiver circuit and, based on a received signal, indicates a transport status of a movable item to which said product identification device for electronic identification of items is attachable; an electronic product tracker, said electronic product tracker contains means for receiving and interpreting commands from said product identification device via a signaling output for locating a position of the product identification device for electronic identification of items.
 22. The system according to claim 21, wherein said product identification device has a signaling output; and further comprising an electronically controlled product transporter having means for receiving and interpreting commands from said product identification device for electronic identification of items via said signaling output in order to move and sort products and materials.
 23. The system according to claim 22, wherein said signaling output is a signaling digital output.
 24. The system according to claim 22, wherein said signaling output is a visual signaling unit.
 25. A method for locating movable items, which comprises the steps of: providing a device for electronic identification of items, the device having a signal receiver circuit and a visual signaling unit that, based on a received signal, indicates a transport status of a movable item to which the device for electronic identification of items is attachable; and using the device for controlling a location based logistic of the movable items in an area.
 26. A method for triggering at least one displacement machine, which comprises the steps of: providing a device for electronic identification of items, the device having a signal receiver circuit and a visual signaling unit that, based on a received signal, indicates a transport status of a movable item to which the device for electronic identification of items is attachable; and using the device for triggering the at least one displacement machine. 